Ottawa, ON – The Honourable Erin O’Toole, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, issued a statement following an announcement that the Trudeau government is launching a 15 day consultation period on how to protect Canada’s steel industry:

“Despite knowing the threat of tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum has existed for well over a year, the Trudeau government failed to take American concerns about Chinese steel dumping seriously.

“The issue of steel dumping was first raised by the Obama administration, and then again by the US administration when President Trump raised the stakes by placing tariffs on steel and aluminum on national security grounds.

“By ignoring these concerns, the Trudeau government allowed Canadian manufacturers to be impacted by tariffs when Canada could, and should have been exempted.

“Whether in Asia, the Middle East or here at home in North America, the Prime Minister’s failed approach on trade has rankled our trade partners and left our economy vulnerable. Coupled with overspending and higher taxes, Canada is poorly equipped to respond to global uncertainty and a turbulent investment climate.

“The only way to safeguard our steel and aluminum industries over the long-termis for the Trudeau government to immediately get back to the NAFTA negotiating table and get the best deal for Canadian families, workers and businesses.”

'Justin Trudeau is Failing to Make Ethical Decisions that Are in the Best Interest of Canadians'

Justin Trudeau failing to make ethical decisions: Doherty

August 10, 2018

Ottawa, ON – Todd Doherty, Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Oceans, issued a statement following news that the Trudeau government has reversed a decision to award a lucrative surf clam contract to Five Nations Clam Company:

“For months now, Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives have been demanding to know why Dominic Leblanc awarded a contract worth millions of dollars, to a company owned by the brother of Liberal MP Darrell Samson. To add insult to injury, it was also revealed that one of Minister Leblanc’s family members personally benefited from this decision.

“Now that Minister Leblanc is under federal investigation, it should come as no surprise that the Trudeau government quietly reversed the decision to award thislucrative surf clam contract in the dead of summer.

“Newfoundland’s seven Liberal MPs were completely silent when Conservatives were demanding answers on how this insider deal was arranged. They did nothing when their constituents needed them the most. They should be ashamed.”

“There is a clear pattern of Liberals abusing the public trust. Minister Leblanc is at least the fourth Minister to be placed under federal investigation over the past three years, including the Prime Minister himself.

“Unfortunately the real victims of this shady deal are the hardworking families in Grand Bank who lost jobs and income because the Minister wanted to help his Liberal friends.

“Justin Trudeau is failing to make ethical decisions that are in the best interest of Canadians. Canada’s Conservatives will continue to ensure that Justin Trudeau does not use the public purse to benefit Liberal insiders and their wealthy friends.”

Peterborough, ON - The Hon. Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada's Conservatives and the Official Opposition, issued the following statement on the fatal shooting of four people in Fredericton, New Brunswick:

"On behalf of the Official Opposition and Canada's Conservatives, I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of the four victims of today's horrific crime in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

"Once again, an otherwise peaceful neighbourhood in one of our cities has been shattered by gun violence. We await the results of the investigation and expect those responsible for carrying out this crime will be brought to justice.

"We are overwhelmed with grief at the loss of two brave Fredericton Police officers who were killed in the line of duty. Lawrence Robert Costello and Sara Mae Helen Burns paid the ultimate price to protect the people of Fredericton. Our thoughts and our prayers are with their fellow officers of the Fredericton Police as they grieve their fallen colleagues. We will never forget their sacrifice.

"Jill and I are praying for the victims' families and loved ones and for the entire city of Fredericton as it comes together to grieve and to heal after this terrible crime."

Ottawa, ON (August 4, 2018): Today, Andrew Scheer, the Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Leader of the Official Opposition, released the following statement:

“Canada’s ongoing trade negotiations with the United States are far too important for our economy to be leveraged for political gain.

“However, yesterday’s pathetic attack on Conservative MP Kelly McCauley shows that the Liberals have a deliberate strategy to use the current situation with the U.S. to suit their partisan purposes.

“Mr. McCauley travelled to Washington, DC to attend a conference that had absolutely nothing to do with trade negotiations between our two countries.

“Despite this, and despite ongoing updates from Mr. McCauley’s office to the government on the status of the trip, Trudeau dispatched a senior Liberal cabinet minister to carry out a desperately partisan and laughable attack. Mr. McCauley’s conference was about defence procurement, yet this senior Liberal cabinet minister bizarrely linked it with trade negotiations.

“We’ve now seen three separate examples of Trudeau’s Liberals launching flimsy attacks against Conservatives. This is clearly a cynical political strategy trying to capitalize on stalled negotiations. We should expect to see more of this the longer we go without a deal.

“But Canadians have had enough with the partisan games. When will Justin Trudeau and the Liberals stop playing these games and start focusing on getting a deal done for Canadians?”

MONTREAL, QC – Last week Jasmine Louras was nominated in Outremont as the Conservative Party candidate in the upcoming by-election. The current MP, Thomas Mulcair, resigned the seat, triggering a by-election to be called in the next six months.

Miss Louras, a born and raised Montrealer, began her undergraduate studies in biochemistry and exercise science before transitioning into law. She also made her mark in the Montreal start-up scene and later landed a prestigious internship at the Consulate of the United States of America in Montreal in Public Diplomacy, Public Affairs and Foreign Commercial Service. She has also started the Hellenic Jewish Partnership to establish the community on the world stage. She is heavily involved in the local communities of Outremont. She is now entering the political scene with the intention of rallying the image of the Conservative Party while staying true to the values and diversity of her native Quebec.

“Having a hard-working person like Jasmine Louras representing Canada’s Conservatives on the ballot in Outremont shows exactly what kind of government Canadians can expect from us in 2019 – one that lowers taxes, balances the budget, and puts people before government,” said Andrew Scheer, Leader of the Conservative Party.

“I’m excited to hit the ground and help deliver our Conservative message of putting people before government,” said Louras. “It’s time we had representation that treats taxpayers fairly and with respect, and that representation clearly comes from the Conservative Party of Canada with Andrew Scheer as leader.”

To support Jasmine and her campaign, please visit www.conservative.ca

For more information:

Cory HannDirector of CommunicationsConservative Party of Canadacoryhann@conservative.ca613-697-5614

Canada’s Conservatives Call on Trudeau Government to Defend Beef Producers

Canada’s Conservatives call on Trudeau government to defend beef producers

August 7, 2018

Lethbridge, AB –Rachael Harder, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, along with 32 Conservative MPs, wrote to the Finance Minister about the potential impact sanctions or tariffs would have on Canadian beef producers.

“Canada’s Conservatives are working hard to stand up for the interests of the more than 60,000 beef farmers across Canada,” said Harder. “The beef sector is a highly competitive, integrated industry with the United States and any potential sanctions or tariffs would cause significant damage to the industry on both sides of the border. I am hearing from beef producers that they are already at a competitive disadvantage because taxes continue to go up in Canada, while they go down in the United States.”

The Conservative Caucus has been touring Canada this summer listening to workers, business leaders and labour groups from across the country about the ongoing trade dispute with the United States and its effects on Canadian families. The beef sector employs more than 60,000 people, and is responsible for $6.8 billion in sales.

“Beef producers in my riding want the Trudeau government to get serious and prioritize the passing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). This trade agreement has the potential to boost Canada's income by $20 billion over the next decade. This is why Andrew Scheer, the leader of the Conservative Party, wrote to the Prime Minister requesting that he immediately convene an emergency session to approve this critical trade deal,” said Harder.

“Canada’s Conservatives will continue to listen to Canadians and hold the Trudeau government to account when they don’t take action to defend local jobs,” concluded Harder.

Conservatives want to hear directly from Canadians about how they think federal legislators can best address the trade challenges we face. Those who would like to participate in this initiative can visit DefendLocalJobs.ca.

Selkirk, MB – James Bezan, Shadow Minister for National Defence, issued a statement following a media report that the Trudeau government is looking to spend up to $500 million on new uniforms for the Canadian Armed Forces:

“The decision to replace uniforms for the Canadian Armed Forces is not one that should be taken lightly. It must be made in consultation with troops to ensure they are equipped with what they need to serve on the battlefield.

“Right now, it’s unclear why uniforms need replacing. It appears from media reports that the move is being considered mostly for aesthetic purposes. If this is the case, Justin Trudeau should intervene and stop it.

“It is also unclear if a new design would be created with input from manufacturers and suppliers in Canada, or if it will undergo the same rigorous scientific testing that was done with the current uniforms. This is reminiscent of a decision made by the previous Liberal government to send our troops into the Afghanistan desert wearing green uniforms that were completely inadequate for the mission.

“The safety and security of our troops should be top of mind for any government. Canada’s Conservatives will ensure that those who serve our country day in and day out are equipped with the necessary resources to meet the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces.”

CALGARY, AB – The Honourable Michelle Rempel, Shadow Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and Pierre Paul-Hus, Shadow Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, issued a statement following the release of documents outlining the preliminary partial federal costs of illegal border crossings:

“Justin Trudeau has repeatedly failed to tell Canadian taxpayers how much his band-aid solutions for the mismanagement at our borders is costing, or adequately budget for the same. However, after nearly two years of asking, Conservatives have obtained documents that show the mess that the Trudeau government has created will cost at least $270 million at the federal level, most of that in 2018 alone.

“Despite this new information, we still have no idea what the projected costs related to deportations, housing, provincial transfers, and social services will be. The Prime Minister has only made the situation worse, and permanent, by failing to take action, and provinces and municipalities will continue to bear the brunt of these costs until the Trudeau government is able to present a fully-costed plan to deal with the situation at our borders. Processing backlogs are still growing, and homeless shelter capacity is still shrinking.

“Not only did the documents outline partial costs associated with illegal border crossings, they also highlighted the issue of ‘anchor relatives’. Once an individual crosses at an unofficial point of entry, family members can present themselves at a port of entry and not be considered an irregular migrant. No costing information or further data on the number of people who have taken advantage of this loophole is offered.

“This data shows that Justin Trudeau is still hiding the total projected number of people his government thinks may cross the border illegally in coming years due to his failure to close the loophole in the Safe Third Country Agreement. At a time when Canadians are struggling to make ends meet, and so many newcomers are trying to legally enter Canada, the Trudeau government’s failure to manage our borders poses an unfair and unnecessary challenge.

“It is long past time the Prime Minister presents Canadians with a plan to deal with this mess. A Conservative government will regain control of our borders, prioritize refugees from the world’s most dangerous countries, and make sure those who obey the law are treated fairly.”

For more information:

Office of the Honourable Michelle RempelMichelle.Rempel.A1@parl.gc.ca613-992-4275